Oscar Hammerstein II

Date of Birth: July 12, 1895

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: August 23, 1960

Biography

Oscar Hammerstein II was an influential American lyricist, librettist, theatrical producer, and director in the musical theater for nearly four decades. Born into a show business family, Oscar was the grandson of Oscar Hammerstein I, a prominent opera impresario. His career was marked by a series of successful collaborations, most notably with composer Richard Rodgers. Together, they created some of the most beloved musicals of all time, including “Oklahoma!”, “Carousel”, “South Pacific”, “The King and I”, and “The Sound of Music”. Hammerstein’s work is characterized by his deep and insightful lyrics, which often dealt with complex social issues and human emotions. Oscar Hammerstein II had a profound influence on the development of musical theater. His innovations in integrating song, character, and story helped to elevate the musical to a respected art form. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

5 Interesting Facts about Oscar Hammerstein II

1. Oscar Hammerstein II attended Columbia University, where he wrote and performed in the Varsity Show, a student-run musical theater production.

2. He was instrumental in the creation of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and served as its director.

3. Hammerstein was a mentor to Stephen Sondheim, who later became one of the most important figures in musical theater.

4. He received a special Pulitzer Prize for “Oklahoma!” in 1944, which was recognized for its significant contribution to American musical theater.

5. Hammerstein’s family legacy in the arts continues through his descendants, including his grandson Oscar Hammerstein III, who is a theater historian.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Oscar Hammerstein II

1. “The job of a lyric writer is to make a song as different as possible from any song that has ever been written before.”

2. “Peace is not a passive but an active condition, not a state of being but a state of doing.”

3. “I can’t write anything unless I’m with a good composer, and they can’t write anything without me.”

4. “I believe that people are fundamentally good-hearted.”

5. “All the sounds of the earth are like music.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Oscar Hammerstein II had an estimated net worth of $10 million, a significant sum for his era.

Children

Oscar Hammerstein II had three children: William Hammerstein, Alice Hammerstein, and James Hammerstein. William and James followed in their father’s footsteps, contributing to the field of theater production and direction.